In March 1998, AsiaSat ordered a replacement satellite from Hughes. Designated AsiaSat 3S, the new satellite is a replica of AsiaSat 3. This one was successfully launched on a Proton-K Blok-DM3.
AsiaSat recognises that a satellite operator is often entrusted with a product on which rests the customer's entire business. With this in mind, AsiaSat believes quality and experience will play an increasing role in a customer's choice. AsiaSat is committed to providing first-class regional satellite service to its present and future customers. On 21st March, 1999, the Company's third satellite, AsiaSat 3S, was successfully launched and replaced AsiaSat 1 at the orbital location of 105.5oE on 8th May.
AsiaSat 3S is a Boeing 601HP model satellite with a 15-year operational life. It carries twenty-eight 36 MHz C-band and sixteen 54 MHz Ku-band high-powered linearised transponders. The C-band beam with 55 watts travelling wave tube amplifiers covers Asia, the Middle East, C.I.S. and Australasia. There are also two fixed Ku-band beams, radiating 140 watts of power, provide coverage for the East Asia and South Asia region, as well as a steerable Ku-band beam now positioned over Australia.
The Ku-band transponders on AsiaSat 3S are switchable that allow greater flexibility in network connectivity, for example, to route a signal to a location in the South Asia beam from an uplink located in the East Asia beam
